An Essay on the Principle of Population

An Essay on the Principle of Population begins with an appraisal of the technological discoveries that allowed for great societal changes in Malthus’s time. The pronounced advancements in the fields of natural philosophy, printing, and politics have encouraged a positive outlook on the perfectibility of humankind. Philosophers and other influential figures are fervently hooked to this topic: whereas some optimistically believe humankind may one day achieve perfection, others argue there is absolutely no escaping from “a perpetual oscillation between happiness and misery,” no matter how much growth is observed in society (1). Whereas conservative thinkers dismiss new ideas as “silly speculations,” progressives likewise believe their opponents profit too much from the abuses of society to modify their prejudiced outlooks (2). Malthus laments the lack of communication between these opposite factions and points out both are so concerned with dismissing the arguments of the other they have lost their drive to search for the truth.

Before elaborating on his own theory about the perfectibility of humankind, Malthus first expresses regret for his pessimistic outlook. He credits the works of David Hume, Alfred Russel Wallace, and, more importantly, Adam Smith, for inspiring his perspective. He laments that even great minds may draw mistaken conclusions, such is in the cases of William Godwin and Marquis de Condorcet, who both believe in the perfectibility and unlimited growth of the human condition.